Property industry presses Labour to adopt UPRNs after ‘patchy’ take-up

Published on 17th October 2024, 5:12am

Property leaders have mounted a further push to persuade the Government to adopt Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs) across the residential market.

There was a drive to achieve this three years ago, but take-up of the UPRNs has remained patchy within the housing market.

Decisive action

Now, a coalition of organisations across the property sector has sent an open letter to Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, urging him to take decisive action to implement the UPRN.

The letter is signed by Propertymark, the NRLA, RICS, The Property Ombudsman, the Property Redress Scheme and conveyancing bodies.

The UPRN has been around for 20 years, and it is claimed it will make the management of properties easier for letting agents.

Property passport

The introduction of UPRNs will effectively create a property passport system for all properties in the UK in the same way that a car number plate is linked to MOT, road tax and insurance documents.

Properties can be identified more accurately, and it will help speed up conveyancing.

Other benefits of the UPRN are said to be faster, more efficient homebuying and selling processes, as well as enhanced protection for tenants and the reduction of rogue landlords.

Supporters also say there will be a reduction in administrative waste.

The UPRN is a vital piece of infrastructure.”

Theresa Wallace, Chair of The Lettings Industry Council, which has also signed the letter, says: “The UPRN is a vital piece of infrastructure that can drive significant improvements in the property market.

“We believe that its mass adoption will transform the letting industry helping Government, businesses and the consumer, and we call on the Government to take immediate steps to help with the adoption of the UPRN.”

Dan Hughes, Founder of the Real Estate Data Foundation, says: “In real estate, both the public and private sector, have made real strides with data in recent years, but much more is needed.”

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